April 19, 1925 — June 25, 2016
Shirley Bailey Kitchen, 91 years old, peacefully passed away on June 25, 2016, surrounded by family in St. George, Utah. Shirley was born on April 19, 1925, in a small LDS community near New Chicago, just three miles south of Drummond, Montana. Her dear father, Floyd Spence Bailey, mother, Pearl Vylene Bailey, older brother, Courtney Bailey, and younger sister, Janice Bennett, preceded her in death.
After graduation from Drummond High School, Shirley worked at the Dingwall Ranch until she moved to Hill Field Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, during World War II. She served there for two years before being transferred to the Pentagon in Washington D.C. In 1946 at the end of the war, Shirley moved to Oakland, California. This is where she met and married a handsome Army Sergeant, Elwood Royce Kitchen, who had just returned from Europe after serving five years in the United States Army.
After their first son was born they moved to Logan, Utah, where they settled and built their first home. After just a year in northern Utah, Shirley and Elwood moved to the San Fernando Valley in Southern California, where they built their second home in Sylmar.
Shirley was a homemaker and brought another son and three daughters into the world. She remained active as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Once her children were older, Shirley began working for Los Angeles County at Olive View Hospital in Sylmar, California. She earned her vocational nursing license while there. During 1971, the earthquake destroyed this hospital while she was on duty. For the next 11 years Shirley worked at Sierra Memorial Hospital in ICU located in Sun Valley, California. During that time she received the “Outstanding Nurse of the Year” award.
At retirement, Shirley and Elwood sold and moved to Lake Nacimiento, on the central coast of California. She enjoyed living on the lake so very much. After 10 years of retirement, the two of them decided to move and settle for their remaining time in beautiful St. George, Utah. This is where Shirley became very active in her genealogy work and attended the St. George LDS Temple regularly.
Nine years ago she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Elwood R. Kitchen. She is survived by her two sons: Floyd E. Kitchen and Brad B. (Barri) Kitchen, both of St. George, Utah; and her three daughters: Sandra F. (Jimmy) Lee, of Dawsonville, Georgia, Debra R. Kitchen, of St. George, and Kolleen B. (Don) Hubbell, of St. George, Utah. Shirley was blessed with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 8 step great- grandchildren.
Shirley will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd, St. George, Utah.
- A visitation will be held Wednesday, prior to services from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at the Mortuary.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.